Mr Gilbert Faure, CEO, SCAA, accompanied by officials from the SCAA and Air Seychelles is in Nassau, in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas to participate in the annual Air Services Negotiations Conference which is organised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). This one week event, which is kicking off today, will gather delegations from over 100 ICAO member countries across the globe, in this one meeting point, where they will be able to conduct multiple bilateral negotiations to discuss the commercial legal framework that is facilitating air access, commonly known as the Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs).

One of the major topic of discussion during this event is how the regulatory regime promoting air transport liberalisation contribute to the growth of tourism in Small Island States like the Bahamas and Seychelles. Delegations from all over the world will be able learn about the current trends, discuss and exchange experiences, and network to enhance the business opportunities relating to air transport matters.

The Seychelles’ delegation will conduct bilateral negotiations with approximately 20 countries of strategic importance. Discussions will focus on the air services regime and how to reach an agreeable framework which will enable the future growth of the industry. During the course of the week, Seychelles will have bilateral negotiations with Turkey, Qatar, India, Mauritius, Poland, Canada, Nigeria, Albania, and Moldova amongst several others.

Mr Alain St Ange, the Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine said that it is an excellent opportunity for Seychelles. “Air transport is the conduit of over 80% of tourism flow to Seychelles, which means that we rely on the air services arrangements to boost growth in this mainstay industry for Seychelles. The air services conditions needs to create an enabling environment that meets the modern requirement of commercial airline operation for the safe, secure and reliable air transport system”. “Seychelles has an air transport policy in place to guide us in this area. It is in this spirit that in collaboration with partner countries we plan to boost air access potential for our own Air Seychelles as well as all other airlines because all countries will gain from the associated socio-economic benefits” he concluded.

Mr Faure was accompanied by Ms Alexandria Faure, Air Seychelles’ Aeropolitical and Government Affairs Manager; Ms Florence Marengo, SCAA’s Head of Air Transport and Ms Thelma Dubignon, SCAA’s Air Transport Assistant.